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Community and Q&A

Foundation sealing options?

rshuman | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

The foundation under my ca 1870s house consists of new and old concrete under the ell, granite blocks under the main house, and a ‘rubble’ wall between the two. A concrete block wall was constructed within a small portion of the granite foundation. This little ‘hallway’ (which has a poured concrete floor) provides access to the breaker box and a small window frame that links the crawlspace under the main house and the (almost) full height basement under the ell. There is a drain beneath the dirt floor of the ell, covered by plastic and rock.

I have two penetrations in the ell foundation through which dirt can be seen. One of these allows passage out of electric and water that goes to a small house (more like a glorified shed). The other appears to be a small hole/void in the foundation. What is a good strategy for sealing these penetrations from the inside?

Water seeps in occasionally at a few locations in the basement including a couple cracks in the old concrete foundation, a couple places where new and old concrete meet, at the bottoms of the concrete blocks in the little ‘hallway’, and where the ‘rubble’ wall intersects with the concrete foundation under the ell. What is an effective means for sealing these cracks from the inside.
Thank you.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Rob,
    If you have holes in your foundation wall through which you can see dirt, the best way to seal the holes is with stones and mortar (or stiff concrete mix that can be worked with a trowel).

    If the areas are small, and you don't care about appearances, you can remove as much dirt as possible, and seal the areas with canned spray foam.

    If your old foundation admits water, you have a big project on your hands. Here is an article that will tell you want you need to do: Fixing a Wet Basement.

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